I hoped that I wouldn't have to make a post like this, but the bond that we at first considered successful between our three rabbits does not seem to be going well.
As some of you might know from previous posts, we had a role-reversal in which Beatrice became scared of Jellybean and Jel became the dominant, territorial one. Apart from a bit of chasing it wasn't too bad and they've been tolerating each other, almost no biting or fur pulling, but Beatrice is absolutely terrified of her and can't wait to get out of the shed in the morning.
Jellybean and Hamilton are all loved up, and I feel really sorry for Beatrice who has taken to staying outside all day. At night it's really hard to make her go in the shed, and in the morning she'll be cowering in one corner, often with a puddle of pee next to her...I assume because she's too scared to go over to the litter box.
I don't know if it's fair to describe a rabbit as being mean, but Jellybean does seem cruel to Beatrice. I've been feeding Bea on her own as Jellybean will just chase her off and take her food. In summary, Beatrice has been excluded and Hamilton doesn't seem to care about her anymore. It's really sad to see.
I'm trying to decide what to do. If I bring Jellybean back in, is that unfair on her and Hamilton? Hamilton would definitely warm up to Beatrice again, he's very easy going and gets on with every rabbit, cat, bird, human that he meets! But would Jellybean be depressed to leave him? Although it seems more unfair on Beatrice, as she was there first. I feel that if Plumpkin were still alive then this would have worked out better.
I have considered finding a bunny at a rescue for either Beatrice or Jellybean to bond with inside and then trying them as a quad outside in the spring/summer when it's warmer again, but OH is against getting another bunny because he's worried the quad won't work out either, which I can understand.
Any advice is really appreciated. I feel so guilty for making Beatrice's life unhappy. I've made one bunny happy and turned a happy bunny miserable, can't win!
20191101_133827 by Rachel Brown, on Flickr
As some of you might know from previous posts, we had a role-reversal in which Beatrice became scared of Jellybean and Jel became the dominant, territorial one. Apart from a bit of chasing it wasn't too bad and they've been tolerating each other, almost no biting or fur pulling, but Beatrice is absolutely terrified of her and can't wait to get out of the shed in the morning.
Jellybean and Hamilton are all loved up, and I feel really sorry for Beatrice who has taken to staying outside all day. At night it's really hard to make her go in the shed, and in the morning she'll be cowering in one corner, often with a puddle of pee next to her...I assume because she's too scared to go over to the litter box.
I don't know if it's fair to describe a rabbit as being mean, but Jellybean does seem cruel to Beatrice. I've been feeding Bea on her own as Jellybean will just chase her off and take her food. In summary, Beatrice has been excluded and Hamilton doesn't seem to care about her anymore. It's really sad to see.
I'm trying to decide what to do. If I bring Jellybean back in, is that unfair on her and Hamilton? Hamilton would definitely warm up to Beatrice again, he's very easy going and gets on with every rabbit, cat, bird, human that he meets! But would Jellybean be depressed to leave him? Although it seems more unfair on Beatrice, as she was there first. I feel that if Plumpkin were still alive then this would have worked out better.
I have considered finding a bunny at a rescue for either Beatrice or Jellybean to bond with inside and then trying them as a quad outside in the spring/summer when it's warmer again, but OH is against getting another bunny because he's worried the quad won't work out either, which I can understand.
Any advice is really appreciated. I feel so guilty for making Beatrice's life unhappy. I've made one bunny happy and turned a happy bunny miserable, can't win!
20191101_133827 by Rachel Brown, on Flickr